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I’m off to Nashville in a couple days, for a weekend of fun and relaxation with my guy. I’m compiling a list of “To Do’s,” or rather “To Go-to’s” or maybe “To-EATS,” and have started with this:

“Window” shopping at Two Old Hippies! LOVE this place. They have the BEST selection of fabulous clothing, jewelry, art, guitars, funny and eclectic books, etc. If this sounds like a strange combination, trust me – it IS, on paper. But when you walk into this place, it just WORKS. And to top it off, they also have a stage in the place, with ongoing entertainment and open mic sessions for the seriously talented musical people who happen to pass through Nashville. Anyway, I feel some good Christmas shopping coming on.

Rolf & Daughters is a new restaurant that just opened – they are “buzzing” about it HERE. Has anyone out there tried it yet?

Since the weather looks like it will cooperate, it isn’t a complete visit to Nashville without a walk through Warner Park. The paths through the park are lined with amazing – and very OLD – stone walls from the Civil War era, I find myself wishing they could talk and share stories from lives and experiences past.

Do we have our Sunday breakfast at The Pancake Pantry, or make the drive out to Loveless Cafe? Either will involve a long wait, since they are both legendary for the amazing food that the South is known for.

What else needs to be on the list?? Do share! I’ll be updating, and also checking for your suggestions!

Someone who takes responsibility for their actions and choices….and doesn’t blame others.
Kindness.
Humility.
A spirit of “Educability...” Or, someone who knows they don’t know it all, and can always learn something from another!! You know, “Educable.” The adjective, not the verb.

And last but NOT least, my adorable husband!! I know, I know; it’s THINGS I find attractive. So to be fair, I find everyTHING about him attractive! hehe!!

My friend Michelle Latimer posted this as her facebook status, and it really hit home with me. As we enter into the week of Thanksgiving, I found myself this morning feeling overwhelmed, and honestly, a bit grouchy because I was pulled in several directions at once (I know, can you IMAGINE??). You know, kids home for the holiday (need I say more?); me, making sure the menus and food are planned and purchased perfectly so I can go into the Day of the Steaming Pans “stress free” (Yeah, riiiiiggght), and – oh – dogs barking wildly AT the kids while my husband (who works from home when he isn’t traveling) is invariably on a conference call, and needs the house to be quiet. GAAAHHHH!!! And, it’s only Monday.

I’m reminded by these words that I’m just doing the best that I can, each day. Those who I come in contact with, whether family, friends, total strangers, are just doing the best that THEY can. But I’m inspired by these words: “embracing rather than denying the painful aspects of our lives.” Hey, let’s CELEBRATE them! Be thankful, and learn.

One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is The Day of the Steaming Pans.

“Excuse me??”

Yep, Day of the Steaming Pans.

I grew up in a small town inMontana. Every Thanksgiving, my grandparents would come to the Wild Wild West from “Back East” to visit, and spend Thanksgiving with us. As if it weren’t exciting enough to have them come to stay, we would then have literally DAYS of preparation leading up to Thanksgiving.

I mean DAYS.

In my family, the day before – Wednesday – is known to this day as The Day of the Steaming Pans. Our preparation would be at a crescendo on this particular day. My grandmother and my mom would be up early, cooking, cutting, preparing, flying around the kitchen. On every burner of the stove, there would be a pot steaming…. Full of boiling potatoes. Creamed onions. Green Beans. Yams. And on and on, all day….one pot would come off, another would go on. I loved watching them, laughing, talking, tasting, and occasionally we’d get to try something. Mmm, and the delicious smells coming from the kitchen were enough to make your tummy growl….

I’m busy this week planning and preparing for my Day of the Steaming Pans. I wonder if this were a national holiday, if the stores would be closed??

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My husband is on his way to Paris today, on a business trip. *sigh… I was left behind this time; while I’ve tried to be a good sport about it, truth be told, I’m pretty bummed out.

In the spirit of having a good attitude, I thought I’d live vicariously and take the chance to make a list of some of my favorite things about Paris. You know, reminisce a bit. Maybe this way, I’ll feel like I’ve been a part of the trip and not think about how depressed I am that he is going to Paris without me, for the first time ever!

The Archaeological Crypt of Notre Dame: I stumbled upon this one day as I was going to visit the cathedral, and it is truly amazing. Among the 2000+ years of history, you see things like the remains of a house from Lutèce, the precursor to Paris, and ruins of the original streets and walls of Paris when it consisted of just Isle de la Cite. Awesome and impressive; admission is FREE with a Paris Pass!

The oldest church in Paris, L’eglise St. Germain: A sacred and moving place. There is a spiritual presence I can feel, and the unique smell is something I wish I could bottle. It restores oneself to sit down in one of the little chairs, and just “be” there. The artwork is so beautifully inspiring and amazing, an added bonus as a feast for the eyes.

It’s hard to find words to explain standing beneath the Eiffel Tower, looking up. The strength of the steel and the structure are truly awesome, the way the “legs” sprawl out sturdily and hold it up. To see it from a distance (another favorite “Paris thing!”), and then from underneath, is…well…impressive, at least.

I love to climb the hill up to Montmartre, and stroll among the artisans’ booths and works, listen to the music, enjoy the sweeping views, and the air.

Strolling through the street markets on Saturdays hearing the language, admiring the amazing displays of cheeses, breads, flowers, scarves, and trinkets is food for my soul.

Ah…I could go on and on. Anyway, as I dropped my husband off at the airport, I (shamelessly) reminded him that he couldn’t pronounce the name of the quartier where his hotel was located to the cab driver upon arrival, so how could he possibly get by without me?? He just smiled, asked me to leave it on his voicemail so he could play it for the driver. The nerve!! :)

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Beautiful words from Bula Logan, Lomilomi and La’au Lapa’au (Herbal Practitioner), from my Little Book of Aloha by Renata Provenzano: “Aloha has to begin with self. You have to love yourself, you have to want to heal yourself. Any aspect of dis-ease is a lack of aloha. Aloha includes all the things aloha means, there is all the respect. When you have respect, you start to heal. When you have lokahi (peace or unity), you start to heal. The answer is when you look INSIDE yourself – do you feel good about yourself, are you secure of who you are, are you aware you CREATED everything you WANTED to create?”

Be mindful. Be intentional about who you ARE, and love who you are. You get to choose.

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about.me

Positivity. Energy. Flow.

My life is wonderfully full with my husband, kids, stepkids, and 3 dogs. As an Independent Consultant with Arbonne International, I'm passionate about wellness and health, about beauty, fun and fashion, and about the arts, travel, and learning about other cultures. I blog because I want to collaborate and share ideas and inspiration with others who love the same things I do.